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Licensing/Renewal/Denial FAQs

Q. Do I have to be licensed or registered?

A. For a Cremated Remains Disposer you are required to be registered if you scatter more then 10 human remains per year.

For a Crematory or a Cemetery, you are required to be licensed by our Bureau if you are NOT a religious corporation, a public cemetery or any private or fraternal burial park not exceeding 10 acres in area.

Q: How do I receive a duplicate license?

A: For a duplicate of an original wall license (8½" X 11"), please submit a written request with the following: the name of the licensee or the establishment, the license number and appropriate fee to: Cemetery & Funeral Bureau, P O Box 989003, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9003. The fee amount for a duplicate Cemetery License is $25.00 and for a duplicate Funeral License is $40.00.

For a duplicate of a renewal license, please submit a written request with the following: the name of the licensee or the establishment, the license number and appropriate fee to: Cemetery & Funeral Bureau, P O Box 989003, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9003. A fee for a renewal Cemetery License is $25.00 and for a renewal Funeral Licensee/Establishment License is $40.00.

Q: How do I change my name on a personal license?

A: Submit a written request to: Cemetery & Funeral Bureau at 1625 North Market Blvd. Suite S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834. Please include the following:: licensee name, license number and supporting document showing proof of a name change (i.e. marriage license, government issued identification card, divorce decree, etc.) For a duplicate personal license reflecting the new name, please submit the appropriate fee for a duplicate license.

Q: How do I change my address on a personal license, i.e. funeral director etc.?

A: Submit a written request to Cemetery & Funeral Bureau at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834. Please include the following: licensee name, license number, the new address and contact phone number. This request may also be made by faxing at (916) 574-8620.

Q: I did not receive my renewal notice. How do I renew my license?

A: To renew a license, please submit a written request and include the following: license name, license number and appropriate renewal fee to Cemetery & Funeral Bureau at P O Box 989003, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9003.

**Whenever possible, please submit original renewal notice with envelope provided.

Q: How much are the license renewal fees?

A: Certificate of Authority (COA) - $400.00
Crematory (CR) - $400.00
Cemetery Manager (CEM) - $80.00
Crematory Manager (CRM) - $80.00
Cemetery Broker (CEB) - $300.00
Cemetery Broker Additional (CBA) - $100.00
Cemetery Salesperson (CES) - $25.00
Cremated Remains Disposer (CRD) - $50.00
Funeral Establishment (FD) - $400.00
Funeral Director (FDR) - $200.00
Embalmer (EMB) - $100.00

If your license has expired, it will be necessary to pay a delinquent fee. Please contact the Bureau for appropriate delinquent fee.

**Please send ALL license renewals to:
Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
PO Box 989003
Sacramento, CA 95798-9003

Q: How long will it take before I receive my renewal?

A: Please allow 2-3 weeks for receipt of renewal license.

Q: How do I appeal the denial of my application?

A: You have the right in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code to request a Statement of Issues and an administrative hearing. At such hearing you may, but need not, be represented by counsel and may subpoena witnesses. To schedule a hearing, you must file a written request within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of this letter. The written request should be directed to: Enforcement Unit, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834. Upon receipt of your request for a hearing, a Statement of Issues will be prepared by the Office of the Attorney General and filed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Office of the Attorney General will notify you of the date in which your case has been scheduled for an administrative hearing. If we do not hear from you within sixty (60) calendar days, your right to a hearing is deemed waived.

If you decide not to request a hearing you may reapply for a license one (1) year from the date of this denial. You must submit a completed application, appropriate fees and all competent evidence of rehabilitation. Criteria for rehabilitation, pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Section 2331 for Cemetery Licenses and California Code of Regulations, Section 1253 for Funeral Licenses is available under our link to Laws and Regulations.

Q: I haven't paid my renewal in a while, how much is it?

A: An embalmer, funeral director, cemetery manager, crematory manager license can be delinquent up to 5 years. If it is longer, then the licensee will have to re-take the licensing exam. Refer to licensing for accrued fees.

Q: I did not receive my renewal notice. How do I renew my license?

A:To renew a license, please submit a written request and include the following: license name, license number and appropriate renewal fee.

Q: How long will it take to receive my license?

A: Please allow 2 weeks from the date the fee is cashiered.

Q: Can I place my license on hold or inactive status?

A: No

Q: How long will it take before I receive my renewal?

A: Please allow 2 weeks for receipt of renewal license.

Q: I Live Scanned for another agency, do I need to redo my Live Scan for CFB?

A: Yes. The information from your Live Scan is electronically transmitted to the requesting agency only.

Q: How long is an apprenticeship?

A: You must work a total of 24 months during which time embalm or assist with the embalming of 100 human remains.

Q: Where can I go to school to receive a Mortuary Science Degree?

A: There are two colleges in California:

• American River College in Sacramento
  (916) 484-8350
  www.arc.losrios.edu
• Cypress College in Orange County
  (714) 484-7278
  www.cypresscollege.edu

Q: Can an out of state education be accepted by the Bureau?

A: The school must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Science education. A list is of accredited schools is available on the web site: www.abfse.org/html/dir-ca.html

Q: How long before I receive my score from the exam?

A: Please allow 2 to 3 weeks after test date.

Q: Do I have to have a mortuary science degree to become a Funeral Director?

A: The educational requirement for a Funeral Director is an Associate of Arts degree or higher (60 units) from an accredited college/colleges, (the education can be in any subject).

Q: There are two fees on the Funeral Director application; do I need to submit both?

A: The $100.00 fee is the examination fee; it must be submitted with the application to take the exam. The licensing fee of $200.00 can be paid prior to the exam or after passing the exam.